One person arrested after two stabbings on Rideau Street
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 1, 2026 11:30 a.m.
Ottawa — One man is in custody after two stabbings were reported in the Rideau Street area early this morning.
Ottawa Police Service officers responded to the first incident at about 2:47 a.m. after reports that a man stabbed a woman on Rideau Street near Sussex Drive. Seeking safety, the woman boarded an OC Transpo bus where she received medical treatment.
Just after 3 a.m., police received a second report that a man had been stabbed near Daly Avenue and Waller Street.
A man was arrested near the second stabbing scene.
Both victims were taken to hospital and are in life-threatening condition.
At this time, the attack appears to have been random.
Joachim LESSARD, 42, of Ottawa, has been charged with:
- Attempt Murder x2
- Aggravated Assault x2
- Assault with a weapon x2
- In addition to other charges
He will appear in court today.
The investigation into these incidents is ongoing. Anyone with information about these incidents, is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Central Investigations Section at 613-236-1222, extension 5166.
Stay anonymous and call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at crimestoppers.ca.
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Help make your community safer: register your information and security camera location at CAMSafe.ca to support investigations.
CONTACT:
Media Relations
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 1, 2026 6:50 a.m.
Active police operation on Rideau Street
(Ottawa) — At 2:47 a.m. this morning, the Ottawa Police Service responded to an incident in the area of Rideau Street, between Sussex Drive and Dalhousie Street.
The police operation has resulted in one person being arrested. No other suspects are currently being sought by police, and there is no known risk to public safety at this time.
This incident remains an active police operation with Rideau Street closed between the above-mentioned intersections. There will be a significant police presence in the area throughout the day while police continue the investigation.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.
Help make your community safer: register your information and security camera location at CAMSafe.ca to support investigations.
CONTACT:
Media Relations
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366
